Tape cartridge which is normally closed but is pivoted to open position when taken into use, and transport apparatus for such a cartridge

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a cartridge for a recording medium in tape or strip form and a transport apparatus for use with such a cartridge, both being favorably matched to one another according to the invention. The cartridge consists essentially of a housing which is composed of parts pivotally connected to one another and, in the closed position, completely encloses a roll of tape wound on a hub. In the open position of the cartridge, at least part of the roll of tape is so exposed that the roll can be rotated and the tape or strip scanned on the apparatus. The transport apparatus is provided with appropriately designed means for receiving the cartridge which, when some of its components are pivoted, swings apart the parts of the cartridge, which is placed upon the apparatus in the closed position, and thus opens the cartridge.

This invention relates to a cartridge for a recording medium in tape orstrip form, particularly a magnetic tape, and a transport apparatus foruse with such a cartridge, the latter consisting of a housing withlower, upper and side walls which enclose a roll of tape wound on a hub,the roll of tape being capable of being shifted into a position in whichits peripheral surface makes contact with a transportapparatus-associated drive member at the earliest during insertion ofthe cartridge in apparatus-associated receiving means for the cartridge.

A tape transport apparatus for use with a tape cartridge of the thistype is described in German Published Application (DOS) No. 1,955,560.Here, the cartridge is of circular shape and has a open window in itsperiphery which cannot be closed and which permits a drive member toenter the cartridge for rotation of a supply roll housed therein, andalso allows the tape to the withdrawn from the cartridge. The supplyroll rotates upon an axle journaled in the opposite side walls of thecircular cartridge but is not slidably displaceable. Movement of theroll toward the drive member, to compensate for the decreasing packdiameter, is effected by guided displacement of the whole cartridge,guidance being effected by means of guide pins on the lower cartridgewall and a cooperating guide slot in the tape deck, and also by means ofguide members which embrace the cartridge at the periphery on oppositesides.

In all embodiments of this prior art tape transport apparatus,spring-loaded displacement members bear against the outside of thecartridge housing and thus urge the roll of tape toward the drive memberonly indirectly. The hub is only provided with primative bearing meansin the form of the abovementioned journals which rotate in apertures inthe opposite side walls of the circular cartridge. The maindisadvantages of the above-described tape transport apparatus andcartridge are that

A. THE TAPE AND THE TAPE PACK AS A WHOLE ARE NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECTEDAGAINST EXTERNAL INFLUENCES BY THE CARTRIDGE,

B. THE PRIMITIVE BEARING MEANS ARE UNSUITABLE FOR HIGH ROTATIONAL SPEEDSOF THE PACK WITHIN THE CARTRIDGE,

C. MORE OR LESS FRICTIONLESS GUIDANCE OF THE CARTRIDGE ON THE TRANSPORTAPPARATUS IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE,

D. CORRECT INSERTION OF THE CARTRIDGE BETWEEN THE LATERAL GUIDE MEMBERSIS NOT GUARANTEED,

E. SINCE THE DRIVE MEMBER ENTERS THE CARTRIDGE, THE CARTRIDGE MUST BEPRECISELY LOCATED, SO THAT THE DRIVE MEMBER DOES NOT COME INTO CONTACTWITH THE CARTRIDGE HOUSING,

F. THE CIRCULAR SHAPE OF THE CARTRIDGE MAKES HANDLING AND STORAGE ANDFILING MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE AMATEUR,

G. OWING TO THE FACT THAT THE CARTRIDGE MUST BE PRECISELY LOCATED, THEREQUISITE APPARATUS-ASSOCIATED MEANS FOR GUIDING AND DISPLACING THECARTRIDGE ARE VERY ELABORATE AND ARE CONSEQUENTLY MORE LIABLE TO GIVETROUBLE.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved cartridge for arecording medium in tape or strip form and an improved transportapparatus for use therewith. It is a further object of the invention toimprove magnetic tape cartridges and tape recorders, to render theiroperation more reliable, their handling simpler and their massproduction more economical. It is yet another object of the invention toprovide a cartridge which is simpler to store and file.

According to the present invention, these and other objects are achievedwith a cartridge for a recording medium in tape or strip form and tapetransport apparatus for use therewith, especially a magnetic tapecartridge and a tape recorder for use therewith, the cartridgeconsisting of a housing with lower, upper and side walls which enclose aroll of tape wound on a hub, the roll after insertion of the cartridgein apparatus-associated means for receiving it, being in a position orbeing capable of being brought into a position in which the peripheralsurface of the roll of tape makes contact with an apparatus-associateddrive member, wherein the housing consists of two parts of approximatelyequal size which are pivotally connected together by connecting means insuch a way that the said two parts in the closed position of thecartridge, completely enclose the roll of tape and, in the open positionof the cartridge, are swung apart by apparatus-associated pivotingmeans, at least part of the peripheral surface of the tape roll being soexposed that the roll can be rotated by an apparatus-associated drivemember.

Such a design ensures maximum protection for the tape pack cartridge andtransport apparatus while making it easy to mass-produce the unitsconcerned.

The cartridge housing can be produced in one piece or from a number ofpieces. The roll of tape can be advantageously inserted in the cartridgehousing after the housing and its associated elements have beenassembled, so that the risk of damage to the tape roll is considerablyreduced.

The lower and upper walls of the cartridge may each be provided with atleast one aperture through which an apparatus-associated, rotatablyand-- if desired-- displaceably mounted spindle can enter, so that theroll of tape can be rotated essentially inside the cartridge and thetape can, if necessary, also be scanned therein.

In an advantageous embodiment of the cartridge, spring means areprovided which hold the two cartridge parts together.

In a particularly advantgeous embodiment of the cartridge two resilientmembers are provided in the form of a first spring arranged near thepoint at which the cartridge parts pivot and a second spring arrangednear those sections of the cartridge parts which describe the largestarc during the pivoting movement.

By using two springs, which are advantageously arranged the greatestpossible distance apart, great rigidity is imparted to the cartridge inall positions of the housing parts, thus enabling the cartridge toresist flexural stress and shearing forces, and an increase in the forceholding the cartridge parts together, especially in the closed position,is also achieved.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second spring is anelement made of resilient material and having an aperture through whichat least part of the roll of tape can project when the cartridge isopen, the said element cooperating on each side with a projectionprovided on each cartridge part while the cartridge is closed, in orderto keep it closed, whereas the said element cooperates with one furtherprojection on each cartridge part while the cartridge is open, in orderto limit the pivoting angle of the cartridge parts.

Such a spring design having the various functions described above hasproved to be both economical and advantageous in operation.

In a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, thecartridge parts are provided with teeth in the region where the partsmeet, which teeth improve the rigidity of the cartridge in the closedposition.

A very high degree of rigidity which protects the cartridge againstflexural stress in particular is achieved in this way, the rigidityalready achieved with springs of suitable design and arranged in anappropriate manner being further increased.

These teeth are formed by regions of the lower and upper walls of thecartridge parts, which regions over- and underlap each other.

In yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cartridgeis provided on the inside with resilient members which make contact withat least part of the peripheral surface of the roll of tape, especiallywhen the cartridge is closed, in order to hold the roll of tapetogether. In this way, unintentional unrolling of the tape or the leadertape from the roll is effectively prevented. In a very simple embodimentof the invention, these resilient member consist of strips of elasticmaterial which are held between projections provided on the cartridgeparts.

According to the invention, the transport apparatus for use with theabove-described cartridge is provided with cartridge receiving meansconsisting essentially of a split base portion and actuating members.The latter engage the cartridge parts at predetermined points, and theparts of the base are swung apart with the cartridge parts by means of apivoting mechanism.

The above-described receiving means, which is easy to manufacture andreliable in operation, ensures the trouble-free opening of the cartridgeinside the machine, so that damage to the tape and tape pack is avoided.

Further details of an embodiment of the invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows receiving means for a cartridge according to the inventionwhich is shown here prior to insertion;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II--II of the cartridgeof the invention shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 shows the cartridge of the invention in the closed position onthe transport apparatus;

FIG. 4 shows the cartridge of FIG. 3 in the open position, the roll oftape being driven by the transport apparatus;

FIG. 5 shows a locking spring for the cartridge;

FIG. 6 shows a detail of the teeth of the cartridge parts; and

FIG. 7 shows a roll of tape with leader for a cartridge of theinvention.

FIG. 1 shows receiving means or, rather, a simple loading mechanism fora cartridge 2. When the apparatus-associated lid 1 is opened it exposesa trough 3 into which the closed cartridge 2 can be inserted manually.The trough 3 consists of two parts and is preferably made of stamped-outand appropriately bent sheet metal. The two parts 3a and 3b can berotated about a pivot 4 independently of one another. The twoapparatus-associated trough components 3a and 3b are directly connectedto the lid 1 via rods 5 which are pivotally connected to tabs 6 andloosely attached to lid 1 at points 7 for pivotal movement. When the lid1 is raised the trough 3 is closed and ready to receive the cartridge.When the lid 1 is depressed in the direction of arrow a, the two troughcomponents 3a and 3b pivot through a certain angle in oppositedirections, as indicated by arrows b. The pivoting movement of thetrough components 3a and 3b is brought about by movement of the rods 5in the direction of arrows c. When a cartridge is inserted, the pivot 4for the trough components coincides with the pivot 8 for the cartridgeparts, the opening angle of the trough components corresponding to theopening angle of the cartridge parts. When the apparatus-associatedtrough 3 swings apart retaining means 9 embrace the trough components 3aand 3b and the upper walls 21 of the cartridge parts or directly embracethe upper, lower and side walls 21, 22 and 33 of the cartridge partsthrough slots (not shown) in trough components 3a and 3b to hold thecartridge parts at a predetermined height so that the roll of tape (FIG.7) can be wound and unwound without making contact with parts of thecartridge housing.

The cartridge 2 is inserted in the trough 3 at an angle with the frontof the cartridge 17 pointing forward and downward. The front 17 ispushed below the overhanging lip 10. The projections 11 on the right andthe left simultaneously engage apertures at the front of the cartridgeand urge the front spring inside the cartridge back to such an extentthat the cartridge, after having been pressed home in the trough, isready to be opened. To prevent the cartridge from being incorrectlyinserted, for example the wrong way round, the cartridge 2 is providedwith a recess 12 on one side, and the corresponding apparatus-associatedtrough part with a projection 13 for cooperation with said recess. Whenthe cartridge 2 is inserted, a ball pressure mechanism 16 on shaft 40 isactuated and the hub 15 is pressed against the conical surface of thehub-receiving member 14. As a result, the roll of tape 18 is connectedto the transport apparatus, ready for operation. A spring-loaded lever19 is an additional safety feature which ensures that the cartridge 2attains its end position after it has been inserted. It is possible toso connect the lever 19 to a switching mechanism (not shown) that themachine cannot be operated until the cartridge 2 is properly located inthe trough.

Other loading mechanism designs for the cartridge, which is now to bedescribed in more detail, are conceivable. The cartridge 2 is asingle-reel cartridge. The tape is wound on the aluminum hub 15 to formroll 18 (cf. FIG. 7). At its periphery, the roll 18 is provided with aleader tape 20 which holds itself to the edges of the outer turns oftape by means of lateral teeth, so that the roll 18 is held together andouter turns of tape cannot slip off the roll. When the cartridge 2 isclosed (cf. FIG. 3) the hub 15 is held between upper and lower walls 21and 22 of the cartridge 2 by means of ribs (not shown) in such a waythat it is prevented from rotating and being displaced vertically andradially when the cartridge is handled. An additional feature forpreventing rotation of the roll 18 may consist of toothed elements (notshown) on the lower side of the hub 15 which engage matching recesses inor projections on the lower wall 22 of the cartridge. The cartridge 2consists of two parts 23 and 24 of equal size which are pivotallyconnected to one another by means of a hinge 26 for example. In anadvantageous embodiment of the invention, the cartridge parts 23 and 24each consist of two simple injection moldings made of plastics material,connected to one another in a suitable manner, for example by ultrasonicwelding or by screws. The cartridge parts 23 and 24 completely enclosethe tape roll 18 when the cartridge 2 is closed, so that there is nodirect access to the tape from the outside at any point. The tape roll18 is thus afforded optimum protection against mechanical damage anddust. Where the two cartridge parts 23 and 24 meet, portions of thelower and upper surfaces 22 and 21 over- and underlap, forminginterlocking teeth 25 (see arrows d in FIG. 6) which bring about anincrease in the mechanical strength of the cartridge 2 in the plane ofseparation, make the cartridge virtually dusttight and improveprotection of the tape and the tape pack 18 against mechanical damage.Other interlocking arrangements may also be used, for example atongue-and-groove connection. An additional safeguard against bending ofthe cartridge 2 in the plane of separation consists of a first andsecond spring. The first spring 27-- the closing spring-- is arrangednear the hinge 26. It may be a leaf spring, and its ends may be retainedin suitable grooves 28 provided in each of the two cartridge parts 23and 24. The arrangement and shape of the spring 27 in the drawing makeit clear that a force which causes the teeth 25 to firmly interlock isexerted on the cartridge parts 23 and 24. The second spring 29 will bereferred to hereinafter as the "front spring", of which one embodimentis shown in FIG. 5. When the cartridge 2 is in the closed position, thespring 29 engages the wedge-shaped projections 30, the lattercooperating with an aperture 32 in the spring near the edges 31. Thesteeply inclined sides of the projections 30, which face the side walls33 of the cartridge, constitute a simple means of compensating forslight differences in length of the front spring 29 and/or housingtolerances which occur during manufacture. The rectangular opening 32 inthe spring 29 is so dimensioned at least part of the tape roll 18 canpass therethrough without the turns of the tape pack or the leader tapecoming into contact with the spring. The spring 29 in the relaxed stateis slightly bowed, so that it bears against the inside of the cartridgefront 17 after it has been fitted in the cartridge, a further retainingforce being therefore applied to the teeth 25 when the cartridge 2 is inthe closed position. In order to open the cartridge 2, projections 11(see FIG. 1) pass through the apertures or slots 34 in the front wall ofthe cartridge opposite the ends of the spring 29, so that the latter arebent back and thus lifted clear of the projections 30. If the cartridgeparts 23 and 25 are now swung apart as described, smaller projections 35engage the edges 31 of the spring 29, thus limiting the opening angle.The wedge shape of the projections 30 enables the curved ends of thespring 29 to readily slide up and over the projections when thecartridge is closed.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the springs 27 and 29 are confined sonarrowly over their entire length inside the cartridge 2 that evenslight bending or warping of the cartridge in the plane of separation ofthe cartridge parts 23 and 24 causes the springs 27 and 29 to bearagainst the inner surfaces of the lower and upper cartridge walls,sufficiently strong resistance thus opposing any further bending orwarping.

The spring 29 may also be designed in any other suitable manner, forexample it may be in the form of a rectangular loop of wire. It is notabsolutely necessary to provide an aperture in the spring 29: anelongated, substantially U-shaped spring member would also besufficient. The spring 29 can be readily inserted subsequently in theotherwise complete cartridge 2. Using special tools, it is also possibleto remove the spring 29, for example, in order to replace it, toexchange the tape roll 18 or to repair the cartridge.

To compensate for varying pack diameters due to variations in thethickness of the tape used and/or to different lengths of tape (forexample in the case of pre-recorded cartridges), a spring 36 (preferablymade of a plastics material such as polyester) may be inserted in eachhalf of the housing between projections 37 provided on each of thecartridge parts 23 and 24, the position of the springs being governed bythe size of the full pack.

When the cartridge 2 is closed, the periphery of the pack is always incontact with these springs 36. As a result, the pack 18 is effectivelyheld together and the leader tape 20 cannot detach itself from the pack.

In an advantageous embodiment of these retaining springs, they areprovided with flanged edges (not shown) which embrace the tape pack atthe periphery. As may be seen from FIG. 4, the springs 36 are not incontact with the periphery of the pack when the cartridge is open.

A comparison of the positions of the tape roll 18 in FIGS. 3 and 4 showsthat the roll 18 in the latter drawing has already been pushed out ofthe aperture 38 and has reached a position in which it makes contactwith the peripheral surface of a transport apparatus-associated drivemember 39 (shown diagrammatically in the form of a semi-circle) whichdrives two tape packs in a transport apparatus operating on thecontact-winding principle. In transport apparatus of this type, in orderto maintain adequate compressive forces between the drive member-- whichwill be referred to hereinafter as the "capstan" -- and the tape packs,it is necessary for the packs to advance and retreat relative to thecapstan during feeding of the tape to take the decreasing and increasingpack diameters into account. In an apparatus of this type, the shaftscarrying the tape packs are adavantageously so mounted that they can beradially displaced via springs toward and away from the capstan.

The shaft 40 which carries the hub 15 is mounted in the described mannerso as to be displaceble along the central axis 41 of the cartridgetoward the capstan 39. The hub 15 is thus displaced within the sectorbetween the cartridge parts 24 and 24 via the shaft 40. The pack 18 is afull tape pack from which the leading end of the leader 20 (shown inFIG. 7) is peeled by means of a peeling blade 42. The leader 20 is thenguided around the capstan 39 by guide means not shown here and fastensitself to a second hub to commence the formation of a take-up roll (notshown), the tape being scanned by scanning means (not shown) at it isfed from the supply roll to the take-up roll. The leader 20 is made of aplastics film which is usually thicker than the magnetic tape itself andis spliced to the latter by known means. The cartridge design ensuresthat the leader 20 inside the cartridge 2 cannot detach itself from thepack; particularly the springs 36 which hold the turns of the packtogether play a big part in achieving this. The distance between theperiphery of the roll of tape and the inside cylindrical walls of thecartridge is advantageously such that the leader remains in contact withthe periphery of the pack. Similarly, the other spaces between the packand cartridge parts are so dimensioned that the leader tape cannot jamin the cartridge or detach itself from the pack when the pack ismistakenly turned in the opposite direction, even if the end of theleader tape is standing slightly away from the periphery of the pack.

Detachment of the leader tape 20 from the pack prior to threading on thetransport apparatus would give rise to disturbances in predominantlyautomatic threading operations. After the magnetic tape has beencompletely unwound, the empty hub 15 bears against the periphery of thecapstan. Rewinding of the magnetic tape from the takeup roll onto hub 15of the cartridge 2 can then be effected until the maximum pack diameterhas been achieved.

Referring to the embodments described above, it will be seen that themost important advantages of the cartridge and the transport apparatusaccording to the invention are that, owing to the design of thecartridge, the tape pack, before the cartridge is placed in position onthe apparatus is effectively protected against all external influencessuch as dust, dirt and mechanical damage, that operation of thecartridge, after it has been placed in position on the apparatus, isboth reliable and largely automatic without there being any risk of thecartridge or the transport apparatus being damaged and that thecartridge as well as the components of the receiving means for thecartridge can be mass-produced easily and economically. Anotherimportant advantage over the state of the art is that the cartridge isfirmly locked on the transport apparatus and only the roll of tape isdisplaced. The simple design of the cartridge and its simple mode ofoperation on the transport apparatus makes a simple and cheap loadingmechanism possible.

Notwithstanding the above-described embodiment of the invention, thecartridge described here can also be produced without aperture 44 forthe admission of a spindle or shaft. Nor is it neccessary for the widthof the magnetic tape to be less than the pack diameter. Furtherembodiments of the cartridges and tape transport apparatus for usetherewith are conceivable within the scope of the claims, whichembodiments are also claimed.

We claim:
 1. A tape cartridge assembly for use with a tape transportapparatus having a tape driving capstan, a spindle mounted for rotationand also for movement transversely to its axis towards said capstan, andcartridge receiving means provided with actuating members, said tapecartridge assembly comprising:a housing of flat rectangular shape withlower, upper and side walls, at least said lower walls having anaperture therein, a flangeless hub and a roll of tape wound on said hub;said hub having an opening which in the closed position of saidcartridge is located for access, through said aperture, by said spindlewhen said cartridge is placed, in a direction generally axially of saidhub, in a predetermined position on said cartridge receiving means; saidhousing being split into two parts of approximately equal size andhaving means pivotally connecting said two parts to allow movement ofsaid two parts between a closed position in which said housing enclosessaid roll of tape, and an open position in which at least a part of theperipheral surface of said roll of tape is exposed to permit engagementtherewith of said tape driving capstan; said housing parts havingfurther apertures permitting entry therethrough of said actuatingmembers; spring means in said housing which urge said parts against eachother toward closed position; means in said housing for normallylatching said parts together in said closed position, limiting thepivoting angle of said parts in said open position, and cooperating withsaid cartridge walls to maintain the rigidity of the cartridge in itsclosed and open positions, said latching means, upon engagement by saidactuating members incident to said entry, unlatching the housing partsto permit said parts to be pivotally moved apart under the control ofsaid cartridge receiving means and hence said roll of tape to be moved,in response to the transverse displacement of said spindle, towards saidcapstan for engagement therewith while said cartridge is retained bysaid receiving means in said predetermined position on said apparatus;and holding means within said housing which in the closed position ofthe cartridge holds the roll of tape positioned for access by saidspindle.
 2. A tape cartridge assembly according to claim 1 wherein saidspring means is disposed within said housing near the point at whichsaid housing parts pivot and wherein said latching means is in the formof a spring disposed in said housing on the side thereof opposite saidpoint.
 3. A tape cartridge assembly according to claim 2 wherein thereare provided in each housing part first and second projections; whereinsaid spring is an element of resilient material having a longitudinalopening therein; wherein, as said roll of tape in the open position ofsaid cartridge is being moved toward said capstan, at least a part ofsaid roll passes through said opening in an outward direction, saidopening being dimensioned so that said part of the roll in so passingthrough said opening clears said element; and wherein said elementcooperates, in the closed position of the cartridge, with said firstprojection to keep said parts latched together, and in the open positionof the cartridge, with said second projection so as to limit thepivoting angle of the housing parts.
 4. A tape cartridge assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the lateral dimension of said latchingmeans substantially corresponds to the lateral dimension of said taperoll so that said latching means cooperates with said cartridge walls tomaintain the rigidity of the cartridge in its closed and open positions.5. A tape cartridge assembly according to claim 1 wherein the housingparts, in the region where they meet, are provided with means forforming a substantially dust-proof seal for the closed cartridge and forimparting rigidity to the cartridge in all positions of the housingparts.
 6. A tape cartridge assembly according to claim 5 wherein thelast-mentioned means include teeth in each housing part in the regionwhere the housing parts meet.
 7. A tape cartridge assembly according toclaim 6 wherein the lower and upper walls of the housing parts are eachprovided, in said region, with mutually abutting shelf portions and, inoverlapping relationship thereto, with mutually cooperating toothportions which alternately protrude and recede from the plane ofabutment of said shelf portions.
 8. A tape cartridge assembly accordingto claim 1 wherein said holding means include resilient members which inthe closed position of the cartridge resiliently contact at least a partof the peripheral surface of the roll of tape to keep the roll of tapetogether.
 9. A tape cartridge assembly according to claim 8 whereinelevated portions are provided on said housing parts and wherein saidresilient members are formed by strips of elastic material which areheld by the said portions.
 10. A tape cartridge according to claim 9wherein a plurality of said portions are provided at different positionsso that tape rolls of different maximum diameter can be held together bysaid strips.
 11. In combination, a tape cartridge assembly and a tapetransport apparatus for use with said assembly, said tape transportapparatus including a tape driving capstan, a spindle mounted forrotation and also for movement transversely to its axis towards saidcapstan, and cartridge receiving means provided with actuatingmembers,said tape cartridge assembly comprising: a housing of flatrectangular shape with lower, upper and side walls, at least said lowerwalls having an aperture therein, a flangeless hub and a roll of tapewound on said hub; said hub having an opening which in the closedposition of said cartridge is located for access, through said aperture,by said spindle when said cartridge is placed, in a direction generallyaxially of said hub, in a predetermined position on said cartridgereceiving means; said housing being split into two parts ofapproximately equal size and having means pivotally connecting said twoparts relative to each other about an axis perpendicular to the bottomwall of the cartridge to allow movement of said two parts between aclosed position in which said housing completely encloses said roll oftape, and an open position in which at least a part of the peripheralsurface of said roll of tape is exposed to permit engagement therewithof said tape-driving capstan; said housing parts having furtherapertures permitting entry therethrough of said actuating members;spring means in said housing which urge said parts against each othertoward closed position; and means normally latching said parts togetherin said closed position; and said cartridge receiving means beingfurther provided with: a pair of mutually pivoted base portions leavingan access space therebetween, said spindle, with said cartridge placedon said receiving means, entering, through said access space, saidaperture in said cartridge housing and said opening in said hub, andsaid actuating members being disposed in said base portions,respectively so that they enter said further apertures in said cartridgehousing parts when the cartridge is placed in position on said cartridgereceiving means to release said latching means, and a pivoting means forswinging said pair of base portions with the actuating members thereonapart to open the cartridge and hence permit said roll of tape to bemoved, in response to the transverse displacement of said spindle,towards said capstan for engagement therewith while said cartridge isretained in said predetermined position on said apparatus.